NSW Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund

The NSW Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund (ETCF) is designed to push deep tech and emerging technology companies further along the commercialisation pathway, particularly those stuck in the “too technical for investors, too early for revenue” gap.

Grants range from $500k to $2m.  Note this is labelled as a grant but really it is a loan as grant must be repaid in instalments. Repayments will start in the financial year when the recipient’s total EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation), calculated from the time the grant was awarded, exceeds $500,000.  So in effect this is an interest free loan.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the ETCF you must:

• Be a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
• Be a for-profit entity with an active ABN.
• Be headquartered in NSW and as at 1 January 2026, have more than 65% of your Full Time Equivalent Employees employed in NSW.
• Have revenue of less than $2.5 million per year in the last financial year (FY2024/25).
• Own the IP or have an exclusive license to commercialise the IP in Australia and globally.

You can not be listed on any public stock exchange or a subsidiary of another company

What Projects Qualify?

Note there are 2 streams in this program.  They are

• Stream A (Physical Sciences) – this stream supports the development of new and innovative physical devices and systems (but AI platforms are not considered eligible).
• Stream B (Biological Sciences) – this stream supports innovation across the biological and life sciences, including biotechnology, biomanufacturing, genetic engineering, synthetic biology.

This is not for project ideation.  Is to for projects in the Technical Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-7 at application date who are either progressing along the TRL scale:

• an existing physical prototype of a device, technology, or product, or,
• a proof-of-concept of a biological or life sciences innovation.

The project must be completed within two years and you can’t have received other grant funding for the activities specified in the application.  And you can’t be eligible for the Medical Devices Fund (MDF) funded by NSW Health.

Example projects include:

• prototyping, product development and piloting studies
• manufacturing and/or scaling
• conducting market research, testing and trials
• regulatory approvals and other relevant certifications
• salaries and access to external expertise that is directly related to delivery of the project
• commercialisation strategies and commercial feasibility studies
• project consumables directly related to delivery of project outcomes
• specialist equipment and/or infrastructure necessary to progress the project
• intellectual property protection or advice

Application process

It is a 2-step application process.

Step one is a preliminary application where you submit a pitch video pitch (no longer than 5 minutes).  An ownership / cap table and an 0rganisation Chart

The pitch video should address the five Preliminary Application assessment criteria see below.  

Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

Preliminary Assessment Criteria

Preliminary Applications are assessed against the assessment criteria i

• Solution & Value Proposition – Clear articulation of the problem and why it matters (25%)
• Evidence & Traction – Credible evidence the solution works at the applicant’s current maturity level (15%)
• Business Model & Project Plan – A plausible business model and route-to-market for the target customer (25%)
• Project Team – Team commitment to the innovation and company, and clarity of roles (20%)
• Impact to NSW – Credible potential for economic development and job creation in NSW (15%)

Full Application Assessment Criteria

Full Applications are assessed against the assessment criteria below

• Innovation – highly innovative solution
• Commercialisation – progression to future commercial outcomes and revenue generation
• Deliverability – evidence the project can be delivered successfully,
• Alignment – Why sufficient funding cannot be accessed elsewhere; and when and how future private investment will be secured (to repay the moneys).

Learn More

Click here to learn more and apply for the NSW Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund (ETCF).

Note applications close 29 April 2026

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

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Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052